Witness in NIA trial says he heard Ex-Mayor Colley called them criminals

Modou
Ngum, one of UDP detainees of April 14, 2016 yesterday testified in the
criminal trial involving the State and eight former officials of the defunct
NIA before Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara at the High Court in Banjul, saying he
heard former Mayor Yankuba Colley who was present while they were brought to
the NIA Headquarters called them criminals and that they should be charge to
prison.

Modou
Ngum disclosed that some security chiefs namely the former Inspector General of
Police Yankuba Sonko and Yankuba Badjie were present.

He
further disclosed that the then operation commander of the NIA Sheikh Omar Jeng
was present, one Lamin Beyai, an NIA officer, Police Commissioner Sanneh and
Yankuba Colley, the former mayor of KMC were present.

The
witness told the court that he heard Yankuba Colley saying that they are bad
people.

He
disclosed that five of them were removed from the 28 detainees and the former
IGP Sonko instructed that Solo Sandeng, Kafu Bayo, Ebrima Jabang, Noghoi Njie
and himself should be placed in chains.

The
witness averred that 28 people were arrested and thrown into the PIU truck and
taken to the PIU Headquarters in Kanifing.

He
told the court that upon arrival at the PIU Headquarters they were instructed
to sit on the floor and asked to handover their cell phones.

Modou
Ngum, a resident of Tujenreng village in the Kombo South District testified as
the eighteen 18th prosecution witness and recalled that on the 14th April, 2016
they gathered at Bambo, opposite GT Bank in Serrekunda.

The
witness further testified that Solo Sandeng informed them that they were going
for a demonstration which would be peaceful.

The
witness disclosed that Solo Sandeng warned that they should not destroy any
property or disturb the traffic.

Modou
Ngum said banners and posters were distributed to them and he carried one which
reads electoral reforms and the second banner reads why the border closure
between Senegal and The Gambia?

He
further said the third banners and the fourth banners reads: tyranny in the
Gambia should be put to a stop and Gambians are hungry.

The
witness disclosed that they were advised by Solo Sandeng to take the main
highway and they marched from Bambo to Westfield in a peaceful manner.

Upon
arrival at Westfield, the witness testified that they assembled at the façade
of NAWEC office and were chanting government change the electoral laws.

Modou
Ngum revealed that whilst they were standing, some PIU officials, police
officers and plain clothes officers arrived without asking them questions and
started beating them.

Modou
Ngum further revealed that he was the first person that was arrested and thrown
like a bundle of firewood into the PIU truck.

The
witness revealed that before they were chained they were asked to hold the
banners and were photographed.

Modou
Ngum testified that Solo Sandeng was put in one pick-up van, whilst Noghoi Njie
and himself were put in another pick-up van, Ebrima Jabang and Kafu Bayo
boarded the third pick-up van.

The
witness further testified that he saw Commissioner Sanneh identify him to the
first accused person, Yankuba Badjie who disclosed that they need them in his
office.

Modou
Ngum revealed that as he entered the pick-up van that carried him, he saw
Sheikh Omar Jeng seated with the driver.

The
witness further revealed that when they got to Denton Bridge, the sheikh Omar
Jeng made a call and instructed that the central gate should be opened.

At
the time, the witness told the court that he didn’t know which gate Sheikh Omar
Jeng was referring to until they arrived at the NIA Headquarters in Banjul in
the evening.

Modou
Ngum testified that the three vehicles followed each other and they met the
main gate of the NIA ajar and at the NIA, they were asked to stand in queue and
their photographs were taken one after the other.

The
witness further testified that their chains were removed and they escorted to a
waiting room where they were further asked to remove and handover their
belongings.

Modou
Ngum disclosed that after the handing over, their finger prints were obtained
and Solo Sandeng and Noghoi Njie were taking for interrogation.

He
explained that after Solo Sandeng and Noghoi Njie were taken for interrogation,
himself, Kafu Bayo and Ebrima Jabang were taken to a hall and whilst inside the
hall obtaining their statements he heard Solo Sandeng crying ‘you people will
kill me, you people will kill me’.

He
further explained that he also heard Noghoi Njie wailing bitterly saying
‘Lalahilala, Lalahilala, Lalahilala…’

Modou
Ngum disclosed that after their statements were obtained, three of them; Ebrima
Jabang, Kafu Bayo and himself were taking to a cell called Bambadinka and after
a while Solo Sandeng was into the cell.

Modou
Ngum further disclosed that Solo Sandeng could not talk but only makes gesture
pointing his hands towards his mouth requesting for water to drink.

Mr.
Ngum told the court that Solo Sandeng’s condition was very bad and was bleeding
from his arms and legs and his forehead was swollen.

The
witness further told the court that after a while, Noghoi Njie was brought into
the cell and she was in a very bad condition, adding that her body was stained
with blood and very tired.